A bus passenger who threatened and attacked a driver has been given a last chance by the courts.

Adam Hodgson, 19, boarded a Stagecoach bus without paying between Middlesbrough bus station and Coulby Newham on February 3 last year. He paid £2 when driver John Walton challenged him, but later became abusive to him, threatening to kill him and "rip his head off", said prosecutor Jonathan Walker.

Mr Walton said Hodgson was aggressive as he headed to the station, where he was restrained.

Five days later, Hodgson got on to Mr Walton's bus again. He asked for the driver to retract his police statement, threatening that he would find out where he lived and kill him, the court heard.

He was given a community order in November after admitting common assault and witness intimidation. He was sentenced at Teesside Crown Court yesterday for breaching the order by not attending appointments.

Paul Abrahams, mitigating, said Hodgson, set to live with his father on Lingfield Ash, Coulby Newham, was left jobless and had reflected during a week locked up. He knew his actions were wrong.

Judge James Spencer ordered the original community order, with 12 months' supervision and 100 hours' unpaid work, to continue. He sentenced Hodgson to seven days in custody, which he had already served.